Is It Okay to Buy 2-Year-Old Tyres? A Complete Guide
Of all the investments that a person can make, buying tyres for a vehicle is probably the most significant. It goes without saying that one must make sure he gets the best value from tyres. So when you walk into a store and find tyres that are less than two years old but still considered new (not used) at discount prices, it's quite tempting. You may also be looking at tyres that were used slightly and refer to them as being two years old. This leads to an important question: Is it safe or not to buy tyres manufactured two years ago? This article will help you know what to look for in older tyres, how to check Car Tyres Reading age and condition of car tyres, and what intelligent judgments you will make to keep you safe on the road and save money.
New vs. Used 2-Year-Old Tyres
There doesn"t really exist any fine line differentiating "2 years old tyres":-
New But Manufactured 2 Years Ago
Many perfectly good tyres may have been sitting on store shelves for one or two years before being sold. They have never been fitted on any vehicle or have driven on them. They have only been in storage since their manufacture. Generally speaking, these tyres are usually fine to purchase if they have been stored properly.
Most tyre shops store all their inventories in climate-controlled environments that are away from direct sun exposure which helps in maintaining the rubber compounds. Such conditions shall preserve the quality of the rubber compounds as well as their properties, since it would mean that a new tyre manufactured two years ago shouldn't be significantly degraded in quality and performance.
Used Tyres That Are 2 Years Old
These tyres have been driven for at least two years. Their state will largely depend on the distance they have been driven, ambient road conditions to which they were exposed, and whatever means were undertaken in their maintenance. In the case of used tyres, therefore, much more careful inspection comes into play before buying.
Any tyre that is manufactured as of the year 2000 bears an exact date code of manufacture. The code forms part of the Department of Transportation (DOT) number on the sidewall. The manufacture date comes from the last four digits of this code:
The first two digits refer to the week (out of 52 weeks in a year)
The last two digits refer to the year
"2118" means a tyre manufactured in the 21st week of 2018.
"4309" means a tyre manufactured in the 43rd week of 2009.
To locate this code, look for "DOT" on the sidewall, followed by a series of numbers and letters. The date code will be the last 4 digits.
Tyre Lifespan: What Experts Say
But the opinions regarding the lifespan of tyres vary:
Most tyre manufacturers recommend replacing tyres after 6 years, irrespective of the tread depth.
The Department of Transportation says 10 years with some inspection after 5 years would be a better guideline.
This guideline is for used and unused tyres. Even tyres that have never been driven are subject to the degrading effect of rubber compounds with oxygen and temperature exposure, along with UV radiation.
For those who have some concern for safety, the 6-year philosophy espoused by manufacturers is, in general, a safer choice. This means a tyre that is 2 years old has about 4 years of additional serviceable life left, which is something that most drivers would agree to.
Things to Check on Used 2-Year-Old Tyres
When scrutinizing used tyres that are two years old, consider some more points:
Examine the tyre for even wear across the full width of the tread. Uneven wear patterns suggest problems with the vehicle alignment, vehicle misuse with respect to inflation pressures, or other issues in the vehicle.
Check for signs of prior repairs: plugs, patches, etc. Well-maintained, repaired tyres can be safe, but multiple repairs or repairs to the sidewall are big no-no's.
Look for bulges or blistering on the tyre sidewall as signs of impact damage. This type of damage indicates a possible compromise of the tyre's internal construction.
If buying a set, check that all tyres are the same size with equal speed and load ratings. Mixing types of tyres can dramatically change how your vehicle behaves with respect to handling.
In general, two-year-old tyres on sale become acceptable alternatives provided the tyres have been properly stored. Good conditions are for used tyres of the same age with good tread depth and no visible damage. Focus on carefully inspecting any tyre before purchase, knowing how to read the expiry date, and understanding what makes a tyre good or bad. If you are an informed consumer, this can save you money without compromising safety. Keep in mind that most Mobile Tyre Fitting Reading state that any tyre should be replaced after 6 years of use or 10 years according to the Department of Transport. When in doubt, a trusted tyre professional will help you evaluate the tyres that interest you.
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